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Association of prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and infant birth weight

Kim G Harley1, Jonathan Chevrier, Raul Aguilar Schall

  • 1Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA. kharley@berkeley.edu

American Journal of Epidemiology
|September 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exposure during pregnancy may be linked to lower infant birth weight. Associations between specific PBDE congeners and birth outcomes require further investigation, especially considering maternal weight gain.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent flame retardants found in consumer products.
  • Prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants is a growing concern for infant health.
  • Understanding the impact of PBDEs on fetal development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal serum PBDE concentrations during pregnancy and infant birth outcomes.
  • To examine specific PBDE congeners and their relationship with birth weight, length, head circumference, and gestational duration.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal cohort study of 286 pregnant women in the CHAMACOS Study.
  • Maternal blood samples collected near 26 weeks gestation (1999-2000).
  • Measurement of 10 PBDE congeners using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and multiple linear regression analysis.

Main Results:

  • Negative associations observed between BDE-47, BDE-99, and BDE-100 concentrations and infant birth weight.
  • These associations were attenuated and became non-significant when maternal weight gain was included in the models.
  • No significant associations were found between PBDE congeners and infant birth length, head circumference, or gestational duration.

Conclusions:

  • Specific PBDE congeners may be associated with reduced birth weight in infants.
  • Maternal weight gain may mediate or confound the relationship between PBDE exposure and birth weight.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay of PBDEs, maternal factors, and fetal development.

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